Charter Moms Chats

Pre-K 4 SA provides full-day prekindergarten to thousands of three- and four-year-old children in San Antonio at centers across the city. They are about to begin enrolling students for the 2023–24 school year. Dr. Sarah Baray, CEO of Pre-K 4 SA, joins us to talk about the importance of high quality early childhood education and how Pre-K 4 SA and its partners are lifting up the economy and workfor...

Society is telling us that children should be reading earlier, sitting longer, and taking in more information at younger ages. But while childhood may have changed, children have not. Jennifer McCarville, Founder and Director of Marvelously Made, a school where social and emotional development are paramount, joins us to talk about the Save Childhood Movement and share steps for how together we can...

The Gathering Place is a charter school in San Antonio that nurtures and celebrates the inner brilliance of all children. Jay Jackson-Carter, Founding Principal of The Gathering Place, and Ryan York, Co-Founders and Co-CEO, join us to talk about how children learn through hands-on, project-based learning that embraces arts, music, and social justice.

Dedicated to the education field, SAFEtech’s co-founders believe every student and educator deserves a learning environment that promotes positive growth. To ensure this, SAFEtech leans on innovative technology to create safe and secure learning spaces. Liza Gomez and John Martin, co-founders and co-CEOs of SAFEtech, join us to share insights with parents and caregivers about how to advocate for s...

Compass Rose Public Schools is a network of charter schools where academic achievement coupled with personal growth is their “True North.” Join us for a discussion with Ryane Burke, Chief Schools Officer at Compass Rose Public Schools, Hada Flores, Vice President of Academics at Compass Rose Public Schools, Jaime Mora, Director of Student Recruitment & Enrollment at Compass Rose Public Schools, an...

Catholic schools have a long tradition of high quality education, as well as faith and character formation. In recognition of Discover Catholic Schools Week, November 13–19, 2022, we are sharing our updated enrollment guide to Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Join us for a conversation with Ana Cortez, Principal of St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, about the benefits of Cat...

Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas offers well-rounded, PK–12th grade options in the greater San Antonio area. The Legacy Traditional Schools curriculum emphasizes all areas of academic study, including the arts, physical education, and extensive athletics and extracurricular activities. Dr. Mechiel Rozas, Superintendent at Legacy Traditional Schools—Texas, joins us to share updates about growth pla...

Jubilee Academies is a network of charter schools across South Texas that helps students grow their minds and bodies. Kevin Phillips, Ed. D., Superintendent of Jubilee Academies, and Jessica Pastrano, Marketing and Communications Director at Jubilee Academies, join us to talk about their San Antonio campuses, their school culture—including athletics and extracurriculars—and how they are getting st...

Brooks Academies of Texas is a network of charter schools in San Antonio that offer a family-oriented culture. All of the schools share a vision of lifting students up to be global learners, and each Brooks campus has a unique curriculum focus. Join us for a discussion with a panel of Brooks Academy school leaders: Bonnie Salas, Principal at Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering, Monique Almaz...

Harmony Public Schools offers STEM education and project-based learning for students who want a rigorous education that will prepare them for college and careers. Grace Cruz, Assistant Area Superintendent of Programs at Harmony Public Schools South Texas, Klediol "Eddie" Murati, Principal at Harmony School of Science—San Antonio, Joel Lopez, engineering teacher at Harmony School of Science—San Ant...

The School of Science and Technology (SST) is a network of public charter schools with a STEM education focus and support for strong character development. Abel F. De Leon, Director of Marketing and Communications and and Director of SST Online Academy, joins us to share about SST's career pathways, clubs, and makerspaces, and to help families understand how to enroll their students at SST campuse...

Prelude Preparatory School is a charter school on the Southside of San Antonio that gives its students a foundation to succeed in school, live purposeful lives, and become leaders in their communities. Lauren Lewis, Founder and Superintendent, and Laura Rangel, Head of School, join us to share how their vision for Prelude Prep is coming to life in its classrooms and playgrounds. They will also sha...

Gracias San Antonio is a civic engagement program for young children. Adriana Becerra, Founder and Director of JOY Holistic Education, describes the elements of Gracias San Antonio, including holding an election to select a charity, venturing on City Explorations, and creating artwork for an exhibit. More schools and programs can adopt Gracias San Antonio as a way to make abstract ideas of civic e...

Promesa Academy nurtures its students' love of learning and provides them with rich experiences. Promesa opened in August 2020 and now serves students in grades K–4. Ambika Dani, CEO/Superintendent of Promesa Academy, joins us to share about how the school has adapted to the challenges of the past few years while continuing to build strong relationships with each student and support them with love...

Valor Education is a network of schools that nourish the human desire for wisdom, virtue, friendship, and community. In August 2023, Valor Education will open a public charter school campus in San Antonio. Dr. Mark Discher, Headmaster of Valor San Antonio, Stephen Gordon, Superintendent of Valor Education, and Erin Fonner, Director of Marketing and Communications for Valor Education, join us to sh...

Mater Academy San Antonio is a proposed charter school with a student-focused culture, preparing students for college and career pathways. Bonnie Salas, Board Chair of Mater Academy San Antonio, as well as Shannine Sadesky and Daniel Diaz, who are part of the Mater Academy San Antonio application team, join us to share about the success of Mater Academy schools in Florida, Nevada, and beyond, and...

New Frontiers Public Schools offers early college programs to high school students who want to earn college credits through Alamo Colleges. Joining the success of Frank L. Madla Early College High School, the Imelda Davis Early College High School opened in August 2022, and Greg A. Garcia Early College Intermediate will open in August 2023. Principals Jeff Flores (IDECHS), Khalid Zakaria (FLMECHS)...

CAST Schools is a network of five innovative high schools and one PK–12 academy in partnership with four school districts across San Antonio. Each campus has a set of industry and university partners that help students get ready for in-demand careers. A panel of CAST Schools students, including Michael Velasquez, a senior at Advanced Learning Academy; Trinity Williams, a junior at CAST Tech High S...

San Antonio ISD has a wide range of choice schools offering diverse education models such as dual language, project-based learning, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, and career-focused programs. These schools serve students from PK-3 through 12th grade, and are tuition-free and open to students inside and outside SAISD. Karen Galván, Special Projects Coordinator in the Office of Access and...

Titus Academy is a proposed charter school that would offer a Charlotte Mason—Classical Education model. They envision that by reaching back into history, they can draw on great thinkers and leaders to model the character attributes that they look to teach to students. The school would open on the North Side of San Antonio in August 2025. Joe Higgins, Superintendent of Titus Academy, joins us to s...

Great Hearts Online—Texas offers classical education as a free, public, full-time online school. Great Hearts Microschools are communities of students and families, learning with Great Hearts Online curriculum and teachers, and connected with a common purpose. Brian Daigle, Headmaster at Great Hearts Online—Texas, and Andrew Shahan, Director of Microschools at Great Hearts Nova, join us to describ...

Great Hearts Texas offers a classical education at tuition-free, public charter schools. Andrew Ellison, Executive Director at Great Hearts Texas, and April Hufty, Director of Auxiliary Operations at Great Hearts Texas, join us to talk about how students benefit from the Great Hearts curriculum and a school culture grounded in a traditional set of virtues. They will also offer advice for families...

Over the past ten years, BASIS Texas Charter Schools have established themselves as the #1 district in Texas by offering students a world-class, liberal arts education. With the recent opening of the BASIS San Antonio—Jack Lewis Jr. campus, BASIS Texas Charter Schools has five campuses in the San Antonio area. Ken Tyrrell, Head of Operations at BASIS San Antonio—Jack Lewis Jr. Campus, and America...

Anne Frank Inspire Academy is a place where students can belong, find joy, and be great. Expert facilitators guide students on an inquiry-based learning process that makes their educational experience relevant, fun, and challenging. Justin Johnston, Assistant Superintendent at Anne Frank Inspire Academy, joins us to explain how they are working to reimagine and transform global learning, and how f...

Royal Public Schools offers an innovative education model for students in grades K–5. Soner Tarim, Ph. D., CEO of Royal Public Schools, joins us to share about the how the school is supporting students with rigorous curriculum and instruction, as well as social and emotional learning. Dr. Tarim will also offer tips for parents and caregivers about how to enroll their students at Royal Public Schoo...